She Talks: Beautiful Body Revolution

#bossbabesATX note: This is our first guest post in the #bossbabesATX series, "She Talks." "She Talks" is a blogging series, featuring the work and thoughts of self-identifying women in #bossbabesATX community. Would you like to submit something to "She Talks?" Please email blog@bossbabes.org.

This "She Talks" post is written by Christiana White, the owner of The Moxie Fox, a store that caters to plus-size (or, as we like to say, thick and wonderful) women:

At the risk of announcing my genius to the world I’m going to share this deep thought; normal average humans come in a vast range of shapes and sizes and they ought to all be able to buy clothes without scouring the Internet, going to segregated, less-cared-for parts of departments stores or driving to a different part of town for “special” fits. Boom. Mic drop. Brilliant, right?

It may seem like a basic human right to walk into a store that sells apparel and, if you have a body, to be able to purchase said apparel in your size, but any woman size 14 and up knows that although it is unjust, “shopping equality” has been virtually nonexistent for most of modern fashion history. However, there is a newly shining silver lining.

Our generation is now witnessing and more importantly helping a different history be made. We are in the midst of a fashion and body equality awakening; A revolution of the definition and subsequent representation of beauty in the marketplace!

Can I get an "amen?"

Leading the charge are body positive bloggers and brands that have acted with conscience and used their voice to say to the world: “Beauty should be inclusive to all bodies."

Here is a short list of some body-positive brands and bloggers that babes like us can be proud of:

RETAILERS

Aerie Real

Lingerie sister company to American Eagle Outfitters took a risk with a shopping demographic of high school and college-ageD shoppers during their Aerie Real campaign. Aerie made a pledge not to retouch photos and to let “real” beauty shine through the normal bodied women in their ads. They have lived up to their promise with current models on the site, using minimal makeup and natural aesthetics.

Mod Cloth

They aren’t all pugs and popsicles. Mod made a calculated customer service move and more than doubled its plus-size inventory and continues to add quality options in design through size 4X, many sold right in the same drop down as the XS... Imagine that!

Dear Kates

They get stars for fabulously designed high-performance undergarments through sizes 3XL and a kickass ad parody showing “the perfect body." Dear Kates is a women-centric company, and their goal is to give women underclothing and sportswear that keeps them feeling dry and beautiful.

Hey Gorgeous

This is a young online store with lots of fashion forward options. Based in New York, they focus strictly on curvy sizes and trendy styles from designers you may know, such as Adrianna Papell and Jessica Simpson.

BLOGGERS

@CeceOlisa aka Plus size Princess

Cece shines as a beautifully transparent blogger who writes about dating, fitness and fashion as a Plus Size Princess. This beauty is also the co-founder of “CurvyCon," a convention that brings plus-size brands, bloggers and fashion lovers together once a year.

@SupermodelEmme

Emme is so much more than a super-model; she is a super human being. Her “emmenation” movement gives education, inspiration and leadership to women of all sizes. Her reach is global, but her latest partnership with Syracuse University, “Fashion Without Limits,” is a game-changer. FWL is a dynamic program that gives students the platform to learn about and create curvy fashions in the context of a fun and inspiring design contest.

Ty Alexander aka @Gorgeousingrey

This lady has my respect for a number of reasons: She’s living her passion, sharing the wealth of what she’s learned and elevating womankind through her well-designed and content-rich blog. It’s filled with useful product reviews, the skinny (no pun intended) on plus-size fashion, education for aspiring bloggers and health/fitness goodies.

Emily Ho at @authemmie

This gal is a “Body Confidence Fitness Blogger,” and she’s a rare breed. Featured in many publications, such as Ladies' Home Journal and Health Magazine, she inspires women with her platform. She's still on a health and wellness journey but doesn’t need a scale's approval to feel beautiful and successful.

Lots more noteworthy brands and bloggers could be listed and deserve recognition—like @Gabbyfresh, @curvily, @nicolettemason, Lane Bryant, Melissa McCarthy and her new brand Seven7 and so many more.

A big thanks to all of the outspoken women who have bravely become part of this discussion through their writings, designs and demands to have fashion, media and the marketplace come out of the dark ages and cater to women of every size, race and background!

About the author: Christiana White

On April 1 of this year, White launched her own plus-size clothing store, The Moxie Fox. This Austin-based online store specializes in small batches of chic, on-trend styles, in sizes 14 and up. TMF is special because many of their designs are curated from lines not easily accessible in the US so ladies with curves can find something unique. Keep an eye out… They are launching their own line soon!